Week 1 Game Thread

Deathofthebambino

Drive Carefully
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Apr 12, 2005
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Why doesn't anybody spike it anymore?
I have screamed and yelled about this for years. Teams constantly try to get lined up and run a play on 1st down instead of just spiking it, and it literally runs 10-15 seconds off the clock, at best. And half the time, they run a first down play that doesn't work anyway, because they are rushing around like lunatics, and it ends up being 2nd and 10 anyway, assuming they didn't turn it over. Just spike the ball, take your time, call a good play, and go on 2nd down. It's fucking mind-numbing.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Apr 12, 2005
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Oh yeah, and I fucking hate Denver. That team stole Indy's horseshoe from their helment when Peyton jumped ship and went from Indy to Denver, and they have had it stuck up their ass ever since.
 

Mugsy's Jock

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I don't get the hate for the broadcast, she's very good and Rex just needs some time to get used to this but I don't find him dreadful. Have they shown Sergio Dipp more than once?
I actually don't hate Rex...he's a clown, but when's the last time that was a disqualifying trait for a MNF color man? Unfortunately, beyond the unforgivably persistent technical challenges (he seemed never to understand when his mic was hot) he didn't bring any humor or anecdotes or insight to the job. Never said anything I couldn't have just seen myself.
 

mauf

Anderson Cooper × Mr. Rogers
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The NFL should make ESPN borrow one of the other networks' crews for the second MNF game on Week 1. Having two games Monday means at least one regular Sunday crew has the week off (at least two this year, with Dolphins-Bucs being postponed).

Even if borrowing a crew isn't an option, the WWL had more seasoned options than Rexy -- someone like Steve Young who has been on TV for over a decade would've been a better choice. I think they wanted to get a sense of what Rexy is like in the booth, in case Gruden decides to return to coaching down the road. Guess they got their answer.
 

Marciano490

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I was surprised by how flat Rex was. His voice didn't modulate much and he seemed almost bored. That, and you'd think a former NFL coach would know players names or at least have the work ethic to learn everyone's name in the week leading up to the game. There were too many times when he was acting like me with someone I don't know - kid, guy, etc.
 

ShaneTrot

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I was surprised by how flat Rex was. His voice didn't modulate much and he seemed almost bored. That, and you'd think a former NFL coach would know players names or at least have the work ethic to learn everyone's name in the week leading up to the game. There were too many times when he was acting like me with someone I don't know - kid, guy, etc.
Yeah, he was shockingly bad. He was boring and unprepared. I did not see the Romo broadcast but people were saying he was great and calling plays before they happened based on formation.
 

ifmanis5

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One thing is clear, there is NO need for 4 weeks of preseason games. The quality of play in Week 1 was terrible across the league. All the teams treat preseason with open disdain and yet players get hurt anyway. Knock it down to 2 games (at most) and be done with something that has no upside and lots of downside.
 

DourDoerr

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I was surprised by how flat Rex was. His voice didn't modulate much and he seemed almost bored. That, and you'd think a former NFL coach would know players names or at least have the work ethic to learn everyone's name in the week leading up to the game. There were too many times when he was acting like me with someone I don't know - kid, guy, etc.
I'll second this. I DVR games and fast forward through the openings and halftime and didn't know it was Ryan until reading this thread. Wow. Thought both announcers were terrible - especially so given it's a high profile game on MNF (how the mighty have fallen). They should have some slack since it's early, but that's a less than sterling debut.
 

BaseballJones

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One thing is clear, there is NO need for 4 weeks of preseason games. The quality of play in Week 1 was terrible across the league. All the teams treat preseason with open disdain and yet players get hurt anyway. Knock it down to 2 games (at most) and be done with something that has no upside and lots of downside.
What are the players going to give the owners instead? They'll lose quite a bit of money without those two other preseason games.

Not that I disagree with you, of course. You make total sense here.
 

trekfan55

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What are the players going to give the owners instead? They'll lose quite a bit of money without those two other preseason games.

Not that I disagree with you, of course. You make total sense here.
How does it work for season ticket holders? Are they obligated to buy tix for all home pre season games as well?

I was in New Orleans and there was a pre season game vs the Texans. Week 3 of the pre season and I decided not to go. Was not willing to pay good money to see Brees and Co play 1-2 series and then see players I may never hear of. Granted, I am not a fan of either team, maybe there are Saints and/or Texans fans who may be interested in seeing the backup QB in action.
 

ifmanis5

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Do the players get full game checks for preseason games? Many of them don't play at all or only part time. No idea how it works but whatever is in place now should be blown up and re-done.
 

tims4wins

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How does it work for season ticket holders? Are they obligated to buy tix for all home pre season games as well?

I was in New Orleans and there was a pre season game vs the Texans. Week 3 of the pre season and I decided not to go. Was not willing to pay good money to see Brees and Co play 1-2 series and then see players I may never hear of. Granted, I am not a fan of either team, maybe there are Saints and/or Texans fans who may be interested in seeing the backup QB in action.
Do the players get full game checks for preseason games? Many of them don't play at all or only part time. No idea how it works but whatever is in place now should be blown up and re-done.
Season ticket holders have to pay, but I think most teams including the Pats have reduced the price.

Players don't get paid.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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Oct 1, 2015
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Good answers from people who know better than I do on that question. All I know is that the owners want the games, and that they make money, and if they get rid of the games, the players are going to have to give the owners something else at the bargaining table, because owners aren't going to give up money for nothing.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Season ticket holders have to pay, but I think most teams including the Pats have reduced the price.

Players don't get paid.
It doesn't really matter to season ticket holders if they reduce the price or not. I've had season tickets to the Pats for 20+ years, and up until recently, each ticket cost the exact same amount for each of the 10 games (8 regular and 2 preseason). A couple years ago, they switched to a "dynamic" pricing model or something, so now each game has a different value based on how big of a game it is, the opponent, etc. However, the bottom line is still the bottom line. When you add up the 10 games, you're still paying the same amount as you were paying when all 10 games were the same price. It's not like we're getting a discount because the preseason games are cheaper, the big games like the opener just got more expensive so it evened out.

In fact, it kind of made it worse. When we decided to sell our tickets to a third party because we couldn't use them, and every game was the same, it didn't matter which game you sold. You got back 1/10th of the amount you spent on the season tickets. Now, obviously, games like the preseason and some of the shittier games (Jets), are games season ticket holders might not go to, but we aren't recouping 1/10th of our cost like we used to because the tickets to those games are "cheaper," and I know I never sell my tickets for more than face value.
 

tims4wins

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It doesn't really matter to season ticket holders if they reduce the price or not. I've had season tickets to the Pats for 20+ years, and up until recently, each ticket cost the exact same amount for each of the 10 games (8 regular and 2 preseason). A couple years ago, they switched to a "dynamic" pricing model or something, so now each game has a different value based on how big of a game it is, the opponent, etc. However, the bottom line is still the bottom line. When you add up the 10 games, you're still paying the same amount as you were paying when all 10 games were the same price. It's not like we're getting a discount because the preseason games are cheaper, the big games like the opener just got more expensive so it evened out.

In fact, it kind of made it worse. When we decided to sell our tickets to a third party because we couldn't use them, and every game was the same, it didn't matter which game you sold. You got back 1/10th of the amount you spent on the season tickets. Now, obviously, games like the preseason and some of the shittier games (Jets), are games season ticket holders might not go to, but we aren't recouping 1/10th of our cost like we used to because the tickets to those games are "cheaper," and I know I never sell my tickets for more than face value.
Ah thanks for the clarification - I knew about the tiered pricing, but did not realize it was the same price in total.
 

jcd0805

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I'll second this. I DVR games and fast forward through the openings and halftime and didn't know it was Ryan until reading this thread. Wow. Thought both announcers were terrible - especially so given it's a high profile game on MNF (how the mighty have fallen). They should have some slack since it's early, but that's a less than sterling debut.

They had Greeny, Golic and Ditka call the late game one year and Berman the last few-in short, they've never tried to field a competent crew for the late night game. I thought the woman announcer did a great job, not sure why people are so down on her.